Gangwon Office of Education, Wonju City, and Wonju Office of Education Sign Extension Agreement for "Wonju Better Education District"

'Learning and Growth Together' in the Wonju Better Education District
Third Phase Confirmed for Four Years Starting in 2026
Building a City of Culture and Arts Where Schools and the Community Grow Together

The Gangwon Provincial Office of Education (Superintendent Shin Kyungho) signed the "Wonju Better Education District Extension Designation Agreement" with Wonju City (Mayor Won Gangsu) and the Wonju Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Sungjin) at Wonju City Hall on November 18, 2025.

Gangwon Provincial Superintendent of Education Shin Kyungho, Wonju Mayor Won Gangsu, and Wonju Office of Education Superintendent Kim Sungjin signed the "Wonju Better Education District Extension Designation Agreement" at Wonju City Hall on the 18th. Photo by Wonju City

This agreement was established to newly launch the third phase of the Better Education District project for four years starting in 2026, following the first four-year term in 2018 and the second four-year term in 2022. Under the vision of "Wonju Moving Forward Together through Learning, Growth, and Culture & Arts," the three institutions will jointly provide annual support of 400 million won (200 million won each from the Office of Education and the city) to build a sustainable educational ecosystem where schools and the local community grow together.

The Wonju Better Education District is a regionally-led educational cooperation initiative that supports the holistic development of students. It is building a "regional educational community of learning and growth" through collaboration among schools, local governments, and the community.

As core joint projects, the district operates the "Wonju Hanbakwi" Wonju Exploration Project and the "Wonju Hanbatang" Wonju Experience Project, which help students explore the region's history, culture, and nature, fostering their identity and pride as citizens of Wonju.

The "Art Bloom" program includes the "Dream Bloom" traveling cultural and arts mini-performances, the "Dream Picture" picture book and video creation project, and the "Dream Leap" leadership sports program. These initiatives provide students with cultural and artistic experiences, nurturing their creativity and sensitivity so they can grow into future talents of Wonju, a city of culture and arts.

The "Embracing the Village" program offers the "Nature Learning Center" for hands-on ecological education, the "Culture Learning Center" featuring a curriculum centered on traditional Korean paper (Hanji), the "School Learning Center" supporting educational programs that connect schools and villages, and the "Village Learning Center," a museum that brings the village to life. Through these efforts, a sustainable educational environment based on a village education community, where schools and the community learn and grow together, is being established.

Gangwon Provincial Office of Education is conducting the 'Extension Agreement for Wonju Better Education District' with Wonju City and Wonju Office of Education Support on the 18th at Wonju City Hall. Photo by Wonju City

Additionally, through the "Walking Together" initiative, the district is strengthening its governance system to enable continuous collaboration among citizens, the government, and academia by operating the Better Education District Promotion Council and establishing communication platforms that connect schools and the community.

Superintendent Shin Kyungho stated, "The Wonju Better Education District is a leading model of educational cooperation created by schools, the community, and the region together. The Office of Education will spare no administrative and financial support to help children nurture their dreams within the culture and arts of the region and realize an ecosystem of learning where they grow alongside the community."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.